Melbourne Test: Virat Kohli Fined 20% of Match Fee for ICC Code of Conduct Breach
New Delhi, December 26 – Star Indian batter Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the opening day of the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
The International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a statement confirming that Kohli was found guilty of violating Article 2.12, which pertains to “inappropriate physical contact with a player, player support personnel, umpire, match referee, or any other person (including spectators) during an international match.”
Incident Details
The incident occurred after the 10th over on Day 1, when Kohli was seen shoulder-bumping Australian debutant opener Sam Constas in front of a packed crowd of 90,000 spectators. The physical contact led to a heated exchange between players, prompting Australian opener Usman Khawaja to intervene and de-escalate the situation.
Disciplinary Action
In addition to the fine, Kohli’s disciplinary record now includes one demerit point, marking his first offense in the past 24 months.
Kohli accepted the charge and the sanction proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel, eliminating the need for a formal hearing. The on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharafudoula Ibne Shahid, and fourth umpire Shawn Craig leveled the charges against him.
ICC Sanction Guidelines
Under Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct, the penalties include:
- A minimum sanction of an official reprimand.
- A maximum penalty of a fine up to 50% of the match fee and the addition of one or two demerit points.
Kohli’s acceptance of the charge reflects his acknowledgment of the infraction and ensures that the matter concludes without further escalation.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.